Nia Dennis, UCLA gymnastics bring #BlackExcellence to NCAA championships
3 years, 8 months ago

Nia Dennis, UCLA gymnastics bring #BlackExcellence to NCAA championships

LA Times  

Nia Dennis is sorry she lied, but she wanted to keep this a secret. UCLA Sports ‘The ultimate Bruin’: How UCLA gymnastics helped lift Chae Campbell to NCAA championships Chae Campbell is thriving in UCLA gymnastics’ team-first environment and will close an impressive freshman season at the NCAA championships Friday. UCLA coach Chris Waller called it “really a breakout day for her.” It was yet another example of the freshman’s bright future. “I’ve seen it from way back in preseason.. That fighter’s spirit was in her.” Campbell said last week that she looked at Dennis as a “big sister” who helped guide her through an unconventional freshman season. She wouldn’t have had as successful of a year — which included Pac-12 newcomer/freshman of the year and three postseason All-American awards — without Dennis teaching her “what it means to be a true Bruin.” Dennis is beloved among her teammates for her leadership and known internationally for floor routines that have gone viral.

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History of this topic

Jordan Chiles returns to gymnastics action at UCLA after Olympics heartbreak
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Jordan Chiles returns to gymnastics action at UCLA after Olympics heartbreak

Daily Mail  

Four months after being forced to relinquish her bronze medal from the Paris Olympics, Team USA star gymnast Jordan Chiles returned to collegiate competition over the weekend for UCLA. Chiles won her first gold medal as part of the Team USA in Paris and also temporarily took home an individual bronze in the floor exercise. Jordan Chiles returned to gymnastics …

Hernández: UCLA women prove beyond a doubt they are No. 1
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Hernández: UCLA women prove beyond a doubt they are No. 1

LA Times  

The best women’s basketball team in the country plays at Pauley Pavilion. South Carolina was expected to provide a formidable early-season test for the Bruins, but coach Cori Close’s team showed up at Nell and John Wooden Court with all of the answers. UCLA’s Timea Gardiner reacts after making a three-pointer against South Carolina on Saturday. UCLA’s Kiki Rice drives …

UCLA gymnastics raising the bar in vault could lift them into NCAA title contention
1 year ago

UCLA gymnastics raising the bar in vault could lift them into NCAA title contention

LA Times  

Selena Harris celebrates with teammates during the Los Angeles Regional in March. “I think for sure, we’re going to be in the final four because we’re just so hungry from last year,” said sophomore Selena Harris, who was selected Pac-12 freshman of the year last season. “Last year, we thought we worked so hard in the last four, but since …

UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles turns focus to Olympics after NCAA individual success
1 year, 8 months ago

UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles turns focus to Olympics after NCAA individual success

LA Times  

UCLA’s Jordan Chiles won individual titles on the floor exercise, pictured above, and on the bars during the NCAA championships Thursday night in Fort Worth, but the Bruins did not reach the team final. But I honestly think this year, I’m just a little more prepared mentally because I know what’s to come.” The Bruins’ Jordan Chiles competes on the …

Jordan Chiles wins two titles, but UCLA fails to reach NCAA championship final
1 year, 8 months ago

Jordan Chiles wins two titles, but UCLA fails to reach NCAA championship final

LA Times  

UCLA’s Jordan Chiles posts a perfect 10 on the uneven bars at the NCAA gymnastics championship semifinals on Thursday. UCLA’s Jordan Chiles competes on floor exercise during the NCAA gymnastics championship semifinals Thursday. UCLA’s Margzetta Frazier competes on the uneven bars during the NCAA gymnastics championship semifinals Thursday. … But if all the threads are tight and intact and every …

UCLA faces rival Utah again at NCAA gymnastics championships
1 year, 8 months ago

UCLA faces rival Utah again at NCAA gymnastics championships

LA Times  

Their teams celebrated, jumping, hugging and crying. “Our team loves to win, they love to compete, they love to show up in those big moments so to be able to meet a team like Utah so frequently, it just helps us be better.” — UCLA coach Janelle McDonald But having trained alongside many UCLA gymnasts during national team camps or …

UCLA gymnast Selena Harris finds perfection at NCAA regionals
1 year, 9 months ago

UCLA gymnast Selena Harris finds perfection at NCAA regionals

LA Times  

UCLA’s Selena Harris celebrates after competing on the vault during the Bruins’ second-place finish in the NCAA regional final Saturday at Pauley Pavilion. “I’m usually not one to ask questions or really ask for help,” Harris said, “but coming here, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.” UCLA Sports UCLA gymnastics advances to NCAA championships with second-place …

UCLA gymnastics advances to NCAA championships with second-place regional finish
1 year, 9 months ago

UCLA gymnastics advances to NCAA championships with second-place regional finish

LA Times  

The UCLA gymnastics team rejoices Saturday during the regional final at Pauley Pavilion. But there was one consistent factor in UCLA’s come-from-behind performance Saturday that clinched the team’s first national championship appearance since 2019. The Bruins charged back from a two-tenth deficit after two rotations led by perfect 10s on Jordan Chiles and Selena Harris on floor and vault, respectively, …

Emily Lee's excellence helping UCLA gymnastics flourish at regionals
1 year, 9 months ago

Emily Lee's excellence helping UCLA gymnastics flourish at regionals

LA Times  

UCLA sophomore Emily Lee is the gymnastics version of a baseball leadoff batter. That’s my job,” said Lee, who also scored 9.85 Thursday as the second Bruin on vault and 9.80 as the second Bruin on the uneven bars. That really blew me away, and I think that inspires a lot of people out there too.” Lee’s training hit a …

Brooklyn Moors returns from injury, helps UCLA gymnastics vault into regional final
1 year, 9 months ago

Brooklyn Moors returns from injury, helps UCLA gymnastics vault into regional final

LA Times  

Brooklyn Moors returned from a knee injury to help UCLA win its NCAA regional semifinal Thursday at Pauley Pavilion. Led by their best vault rotation since 2020 and a season-high 49.675 on beam, the Bruins won their NCAA regional semifinal Thursday with a season-high-tying score of 198.275 at Pauley Pavilion. After entrenching herself in UCLA’s floor lineup last season, the …

Everything you need to know about UCLA gymnastics hosting the NCAA regionals
1 year, 9 months ago

Everything you need to know about UCLA gymnastics hosting the NCAA regionals

LA Times  

UCLA’s Jordan Chiles and the Bruins will push to make the most of their home-gym advantage during NCAA regionals at Pauley Pavilion. After the Bruins spent this season hoping to just improve their own scores each meet this year, completely ignoring what their opponents did, this week’s three-round, nine-team NCAA regional at Pauley Pavilion is the first time that a …

Meet UCLA’s favorite gymnastics fan. How Josh Lim became the team’s best backup dancer
1 year, 9 months ago

Meet UCLA’s favorite gymnastics fan. How Josh Lim became the team’s best backup dancer

LA Times  

Almost no one in the world can match Brooklyn Moors’ artistry. “He nails it almost better than me.” Devoted fan Josh Lim, 21, center, and friend Laura DeFalco, 20, dance during UCLA’s meet against Iowa State on March 11 at Pauley Pavilion. He should get an award for the hypest man out there.” It’s dedicated students such as Lim who …

UCLA’s Jordan Chiles posts nation’s highest all-around gymnastics score this season
1 year, 9 months ago

UCLA’s Jordan Chiles posts nation’s highest all-around gymnastics score this season

LA Times  

As judges conferred on a teammate’s score, UCLA’s Jordan Chiles was stuck to wait before a nerve-racking beam routine. The Olympic silver medalist’s career-high 39.9 all-around score powered UCLA to a season-best 198.275 in its win over Iowa State in Saturday’s regular-season finale at Pauley Pavilion. pic.twitter.com/a7XNhmWuxn — Thuc Nhi Nguyen March 11, 2023 Chiles tied Jamie Dantzscher for the …

UCLA gymnastics returns to NCAA conversation with best opening score since 2005
2 years ago

UCLA gymnastics returns to NCAA conversation with best opening score since 2005

LA Times  

UCLA’s Jordan Chiles, shown competing in floor exercise in January 2022, tied for second in the all-around Saturday at the Super 16. “UCLA,” former Louisiana State coach D-D Breaux said on Big Ten Network after a vintage Bruin floor rotation, “is back.” Mired in its longest nationals drought in program history, the No. 10 Bruins announced their return to the …

Happy and healthy: UCLA gymnastics welcomes key competitors back during exhibition
2 years ago

Happy and healthy: UCLA gymnastics welcomes key competitors back during exhibition

LA Times  

For weeks, Margzetta Frazier left practice, went home and cried. While head coach Janelle McDonald made her UCLA debut at the team’s preseason exhibition along with a stellar first impression from freshman Selena Harris, redshirt freshman Emily Lee and senior Chloe Lashbrooke took significant steps in their recoveries from Achilles injuries by competing in three events each. “I’m really grateful …

UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles guided by a pursuit of greatness
2 years ago

UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles guided by a pursuit of greatness

LA Times  

After the third time she wasn’t named to the U.S. women’s team for the world gymnastics championships, Jordan Chiles began to doubt she’d ever add that distinction to her resume. “But then I was able to think, ‘OK maybe if I try one more time, I’ll see how everything turns out.’ Jordan Chiles competes on the uneven bars during the …

Olympians, UCLA gymnasts express support for former coach Chris Waller
2 years, 7 months ago

Olympians, UCLA gymnasts express support for former coach Chris Waller

LA Times  

More than 175 current and former gymnasts and parents, including Olympic medalists and UCLA stars, are expressing their support for former UCLA coach Chris Waller in a statement provided to The Times. Among those expressing gratitude for Waller’s dedication after the coach resigned in April: Olympians Samantha Peszek, Mohini Bhardwaj Barry and Danusia Francis; UCLA star Katelyn Ohashi; and current …

UCLA gymnastics misses advancing to NCAA championships by 0.025 points
2 years, 9 months ago

UCLA gymnastics misses advancing to NCAA championships by 0.025 points

LA Times  

UCLA’s Emma Malabuyo competes on the balance beam during a meet against Oregon State in January. Malabuyo’s performance on the beam nearly secured UCLA a spot in nationals before Missouri jumped ahead of the Bruins on the scoreboard seconds later. Flatley had completed a team-high 41 routines entering Saturday’s regional final, and citing her mental health, the former U.S. national …

UCLA gymnastics aims for perfect ‘sidelineography’ at NCAA regionals
2 years, 9 months ago

UCLA gymnastics aims for perfect ‘sidelineography’ at NCAA regionals

LA Times  

UCLA’s Ana Padurariu is congratulated after her performance on the balance beam during a gymnastics meet on Jan. 30 at Pauley Pavilion. Needing their best meets of the year to stay in national championship contention, UCLA will rely on its sideline energy to fortify its “Bruin bubble” during an eight-team, two-round NCAA regional beginning Thursday. And our team thrives in …

UCLA’s underclassmen excel as gymnastics team honors seniors with home finale win
2 years, 9 months ago

UCLA’s underclassmen excel as gymnastics team honors seniors with home finale win

LA Times  

UCLA freshman Emma Malabuyo scored her first perfect 10 on the beam Saturday in the Bruins’ victory over UC Davis at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA’s 197.7-point total was its second best of the season, trailing only the 198.05 from last weekend’s victory over California that was the team’s highest score since 2019. It feels like each freshman has figured out what …

UCLA gymnastics coach Chris Waller has faced setbacks while pushing for championships
2 years, 11 months ago

UCLA gymnastics coach Chris Waller has faced setbacks while pushing for championships

LA Times  

Chris Waller became head coach of the UCLA gymnastics team after 17 years as a top assistant to former coach Valorie Kondos Field. Chris Waller took over UCLA’s celebrated gymnastics program in 2019 at the height of the team’s popularity. UCLA gymnastics coach Chris Waller has been known for his competitive yet compassionate nature. UCLA’s season average on the event, …

What’s next for Olympic gold medalists Suni Lee and Jade Carey? College gymnastics
3 years, 5 months ago

What’s next for Olympic gold medalists Suni Lee and Jade Carey? College gymnastics

LA Times  

Since gymnast Suni Lee won the Olympic all-around title on July 29, her social media accounts have been buzzing. The three-time Olympic medalist is heading to Auburn and, with new name, image and likeness rules enacted this summer, is part of a large group of Olympic gymnasts who can have what Auburn coach Jeff Graba calls “the best of both …

‘The ultimate Bruin’: How UCLA gymnastics helped lift Chae Campbell to NCAA championships
3 years, 8 months ago

‘The ultimate Bruin’: How UCLA gymnastics helped lift Chae Campbell to NCAA championships

LA Times  

When Chae Campbell tumbles across the floor and sticks double back tucks, fans see one of UCLA’s rising stars. Competing on a team for the first time in her gymnastics career, Chae Campbell is thriving in UCLA’s team-first environment. “It feels like you’re flying with the team putting the wind underneath your wings.” Being on a team was intimidating for …

‘Beam queen’ Norah Flatley helps UCLA gymnastics advance to NCAA regional final
3 years, 9 months ago

‘Beam queen’ Norah Flatley helps UCLA gymnastics advance to NCAA regional final

LA Times  

UCLA’s Norah Flatley made a memorable season debut on the beam Friday, scoring a team-high 9.875 in the event as No. 13 UCLA shook off a shaky start and finished second in an NCAA regional semifinal in Morgantown, W. Va., to advance to Saturday’s final. “She’s the beam queen on UCLA’s gymnastics team,” Bruins coach Chris Waller said. But with …

UCLA stumbles on balance beam, finishes third in Pac-12 gymnastics championships
3 years, 9 months ago

UCLA stumbles on balance beam, finishes third in Pac-12 gymnastics championships

LA Times  

UCLA’s Pauline Tratz, pictured Feb. 10, scored a 9.95 in the floor exercise Saturday at the Pac-12 championships to tie for the meet title, but a disappointing beam rotation hurt the Bruins, who placed third. Despite scoring season bests on floor and vault, the Bruins finished third in the Pac-12 championships Saturday in West Valley City, Utah, after they were …

UCLA gymnastics captivates fans both young and old
3 years, 10 months ago

UCLA gymnastics captivates fans both young and old

LA Times  

UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis competes in the floor exercise, scoring a 9.850 against Oregon State at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday. What a waste, Nia Dennis finally sticking her landing on the vault and Margzetta Frazier nearly perfect on the uneven bars while UCLA thumped Oregon State on Saturday, only for virtually every seat in Pauley Pavilion to be empty because …

‘Got back to my roots’: Nia Dennis and the groundbreaking genius of #BlackExcellence
3 years, 10 months ago

‘Got back to my roots’: Nia Dennis and the groundbreaking genius of #BlackExcellence

LA Times  

Nia Dennis placed her hands on her hips as she sashayed onto the floor. “You’re a star!” With her second viral floor routine in as many years, Dennis made another appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and did interviews via Zoom on “The Today Show” and NBC. A place for expression “I aspire to inspire.” — Nia Dennis BJ Das …

UCLA gymnastics leaves even opponents in dance mode in latest win
3 years, 10 months ago

UCLA gymnastics leaves even opponents in dance mode in latest win

LA Times  

UCLA’s Pauline Tratz competes on the floor during competition against BYU at Pauley Pavilion Wednesday. From Tratz’s electronic dance number to Dennis’ hip hop routine that took over the internet, UCLA brought what head coach Chris Waller called “that extra Bruin shine out there” as the team gets more comfortable competing after a long offseason. UCLA’s Nia Dennis competes on …

Gymnast Nia Dennis earns praise for her ‘Black excellence’ routine
3 years, 11 months ago

Gymnast Nia Dennis earns praise for her ‘Black excellence’ routine

CNN  

CNN — The reviews are in for gymnast Nia Dennis’ “Black excellence” floor routine and they’re nothing short of sensational. Keep killing it!” Missy Elliott also gave the routine her approval, tweeting: “Snappin” At the time of writing, the video has gained more than five million views on Twitter. “This routine definitely reflects everything that I am today as a …

UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis goes viral again with #BlackExcellence routine
3 years, 11 months ago

UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis goes viral again with #BlackExcellence routine

LA Times  

UCLA’s Nia Dennis competes on the floor during a gymnastics meet against Arizona State on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion. The UCLA senior whose Beyoncé-inspired floor routine went viral last year returned with a dynamic hip-hop routine that gained more than 2 million views on Twitter in less than 24 hours after the Bruins won their season opener against Arizona State …

UCLA gymnastics leaning ‘on everyone’ to replace vaunted senior class
3 years, 11 months ago

UCLA gymnastics leaning ‘on everyone’ to replace vaunted senior class

LA Times  

Yates Gym doesn’t seem the same without them. “There’s a reason why we don’t have a team captain on UCLA’s gymnastics team,” head coach Chris Waller said, “and it’s because I believe that everybody has the ability to be a leader.” UCLA Sports UCLA gymnastics determined to ‘celebrate every moment’ amid unusual season Preparing for a season amid COVID-19 hasn’t …

UCLA gymnastics determined to ‘celebrate every moment’ amid unusual season
3 years, 11 months ago

UCLA gymnastics determined to ‘celebrate every moment’ amid unusual season

LA Times  

Nia Dennis was on her way to practice when a text message stopped the UCLA gymnast in her tracks. “It was kind of like a what’s-going-on moment,” the senior said as teammates grappled with whether it was safe to return home to their families and what it meant with the team’s season opener just weeks away. “We’re going to be …

UCLA gymnast Kalyany Steele finds acceptance after coming out as bisexual
4 years, 5 months ago

UCLA gymnast Kalyany Steele finds acceptance after coming out as bisexual

LA Times  

Felicia Hano fastened the cape around Kalyany Steele’s shoulders and Steele took off running. So when she started “feeling butterflies around certain boys and certain girls,” as she said in the video, it was just another reason for the introverted Steele to feel like she didn’t belong. After growing “as much as any freshman has ever grown in one year …

Nia Dennis became UCLA’s latest internet sensation with Beyoncé-inspired floor routine
4 years, 9 months ago

Nia Dennis became UCLA’s latest internet sensation with Beyoncé-inspired floor routine

LA Times  

UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis leaps into the air during her floor routine at the Collegiate Challenge meet at the Anaheim Convention center in January. The junior celebrated her 21st birthday Feb. 23 by performing a Beyoncé-inspired floor routine that would make her UCLA gymnastics’ latest internet sensation. × UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis’ Beyoncé-inspired floor routine. “It’s crazy that I’ve been …

UCLA women’s basketball in ‘uncharted territory’ after NCAA tournament cancelled
4 years, 9 months ago

UCLA women’s basketball in ‘uncharted territory’ after NCAA tournament cancelled

LA Times  

UCLA head coach Cori Close motions toward the court during the first half against Stanford in the semifinal round of the Pac-12 women’s tournament on March 7 in Las Vegas. “The NCAA tournament is canceled,” the UCLA women’s basketball coach read Thursday as the NCAA announced the cancellation of its remaining winter and spring championships, including the men’s and women’s …

New UCLA gymnastics coach Chris Waller promises the same magic in program
5 years ago

New UCLA gymnastics coach Chris Waller promises the same magic in program

LA Times  

After working for 17 years as Valorie Kondos Field’s understudy, Chris Waller is ready to continue the success she established for UCLA’s gymnastics program. “There’s a really great balance between cherishing and loving the legacy that is UCLA gymnastics and embracing this new chapter,” Waller, 51, said. “That palpable, joyful, but strong energy.” :: As Kondos Field’s longtime assistant, Waller …

Did this student deserve admission to UCLA’s renowned gymnastics team?
5 years, 5 months ago

Did this student deserve admission to UCLA’s renowned gymnastics team?

LA Times  

Even by the lofty standards of UCLA gymnastics, the team’s 2016 freshmen stood out. Caire hasn’t competed for UCLA because of medical issues but worked as a team manager the last two seasons, Kondos Field said. Tamberg said UCLA’s “gymnastics coaches believed that a combination of the student’s athleticism and UCLA-level coaching would make her a valuable asset to the …

UCLA gymnastics team finishes third at NCAA championships
5 years, 8 months ago

UCLA gymnastics team finishes third at NCAA championships

LA Times  

Felicia Hano celebrates with assistant coach Chris Waller after competing on the bars at the semifinals of the NCAA Gymnastics Championship at the Ft. Worth Convention Center. Coach Valorie Kondos Field, second from right, with, from left, Gracie Kramer, Anna Glenn, Margzetta Frazier and team manager Lila Waller after finishing third in the NCAA Gymnastics Championship at the Ft. Worth …

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